Monday, July 7, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
U.S. CONGRATUALTES THE PEOPLE OF THE UNION OF THE COMOROS' ON THEIR NATIONAL DAY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT UNION OF THE COMOROS' NATIONAL DAY
On the Occasion of the Union of the Comoros' National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Comoros as you mark the 39th anniversary of your independence on July 6.
As you continue down the path toward democratic rule, the governments of our two nations have deepened their mutual respect and friendship. We look forward to working in partnership with Comoros to promote education, economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional security.
The United States shares your hopes for a safe and prosperous future, where all Comorans have a voice in society and can enjoy the benefits of liberty and peace.
As you continue down the path toward democratic rule, the governments of our two nations have deepened their mutual respect and friendship. We look forward to working in partnership with Comoros to promote education, economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional security.
The United States shares your hopes for a safe and prosperous future, where all Comorans have a voice in society and can enjoy the benefits of liberty and peace.
EPA WARNS OF SWIMMING RELATED ILLNESSES
FROM: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Human Health
Illnesses.
hildren, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming. The most common illness is gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and the intestines that can cause symptoms like vomiting, headaches, and fever. Other minor illnesses include ear, eye, nose, and throat infections
Fortunately, while swimming-related illnesses are unpleasant, they are usually not very serious - they require little or no treatment or get better quickly upon treatment, and they have no long-term health effects. In very polluted water, however, swimmers can sometimes be exposed to more serious diseases like dysentery, hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever.
Most swimmers are exposed to waterborne pathogens when they swallow the water. People can get some infections simply from getting polluted water on their skin or in their eyes. In rare cases, swimmers can develop illnesses or infections if an open wound is exposed to polluted water.
Not all illnesses from a day at the beach are from swimming. Food poisoning from improperly refrigerated picnic lunches may also have some of the same symptoms as swimming-related illnesses, including stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It is also possible that people may come into contact with harmful chemicals in beach waters during or after major storms, especially if they swim near what we call “outfalls,” where sewer lines drain into the water. You can learn more about this by visiting our web site for stormwater.
Finally, the sun can hurt you if you're not careful. Overexposure can cause sunburn, and over time, it can lead to more serious problems like skin cancer. The sun can also dehydrate you and cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, muscle cramps, and heat stroke. Learn more about sun safety at our SunWise site or heat-related illnesses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site.
How to Stay Safe
There are several things you can do to reduce the likelihood of getting sick from swimming at the beach. First, you should find out if the beach you want to go to is monitored regularly and posted for closures or swimming advisories. You are less likely to be exposed to polluted water at beaches that are monitored regularly and posted for health hazards.
In areas that are not monitored regularly, choose swimming sites in less developed areas with good water circulation, such as beaches at the ocean. If possible, avoid swimming at beaches where you can see discharge pipes or at urban beaches after a heavy rainfall.
To find out about the beaches you want to visit, contact the local beach manager.
Since most swimmers are exposed to pathogens by swallowing the water, you will be less likely to get sick if you wade or swim without putting your head under water.
7 COLOMBIANS EXTRADITED TO U.S. TO FACE CHARGES IN DEATH OF DEA AGENT JAMES TERRY WATSON
FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Seven Colombian Nationals Charged in Connection with the Murder of a DEA Agent Extradited to the United States
Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office, DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart and Director Bill A. Miller of the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) made the announcement.
“With the extradition of these suspects, we are one step closer to ensuring that justice is served for the kidnapping and murder of an American hero,” said Attorney General Holder. “Special Agent Watson gave his life in the service of his country. We owe him, and his family, a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. The Justice Department will never waver in our commitment to ensure that those who commit acts of violence against our best and bravest can be caught and held accountable.”
“DEA Special Agent James ‘Terry’ Watson was a brave and talented special agent who represented everything good about federal law enforcement and our DEA family,” said DEA Administrator Leonhart. “We will never forget Terry’s sacrifice on behalf of the American people during his 13 years of service, nor will DEA ever forget the outstanding work of the Colombian National Police and our other law enforcement partners. Their efforts quickly led to the arrest and extradition of those accused of committing this heinous act.”
All of the defendants were indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on July 18, 2013. Gerardo Figueroa Sepulveda, 39; Omar Fabian Valdes Gualtero, 27; Edgar Javier Bello Murillo, 27; Hector Leonardo Lopez, 34; Julio Estiven Gracia Ramirez, 31; and Andrés Alvaro Oviedo-Garcia, 22, were each charged with two counts of second degree murder, one count of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to kidnap. Oviedo-Garcia was also charged with two counts of assault. Additionally, the grand jury indicted Wilson Daniel Peralta-Bocachica, 31, also a Colombian national, for his alleged efforts to destroy evidence associated with the murder of Special Agent Watson.
The defendants arrived in the United States on July 1, 2014, and made their initial appearance in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, today before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas Rawles Jones Jr. A detention hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2014, before United States Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis.
According to the indictment, Figueroa, Valdes, Bello, Lopez, Gracia and Oviedo-Garcia were part of a kidnapping and robbery conspiracy that utilized taxi cabs in Bogotá, Colombia, to lure victims into a position where they could be attacked and robbed. Once an intended victim entered a taxi cab, the driver of the taxi cab would signal other conspirators to commence the robbery and kidnapping operation.
The indictment alleges that on June 20, 2013, while he was working for the U.S. Mission in Colombia, Special Agent Watson entered a taxi cab operated by one of the defendants. Special Agent Watson was then allegedly attacked by two other defendants – one who stunned Special Agent Watson with a stun gun and another who stabbed Special Agent Watson with a knife, resulting in his death.
On July 1, 2014, the Government of Colombia extradited the defendants to the United States.
This case was investigated by the FBI, DEA and DSS, including the Office of Special Investigations and the Regional Security Office at Embassy Bogatá, in close cooperation with Colombian authorities, and with assistance from INTERPOL and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The case is being prosecuted by Special Counsel Stacy Luck of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Ben’Ary from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The Department of Justice gratefully acknowledges the Colombian Attorney General’s Office, Colombian National Police, Colombian Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol (DIJIN), DIJIN Special Investigative Unit, Bogotá Metropolitan Police, Bogotá Police Intelligence Body (CIPOL) Unit and Colombian Technical Investigation Team for their extraordinary efforts, support and professionalism in responding to this incident.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. SENDS WARMEST WISHES TO PEOPLE OF SOLOMON ISLANDS ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Solomon Islands Independence Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States of America, I send my warmest wishes to the people of Solomon Islands as you celebrate the 36th anniversary of your nation’s independence on July 7.
Our two countries have a long friendship, forged in battle, which has only been strengthened through our strong cooperation since our nations fought side by side in the Guadalcanal campaign.
In the decades since, we have continued to work together not only on issues of key interest to Pacific nations but on broader global concerns as well. We have promoted peace, stability, a strong commitment to democracy, respect among nations, and joint action against threats like unexploded ordnance and climate change.
Our countries share many common values and we look forward to working with the Solomons to further advance these goals in the future.
As you celebrate your independence day, know that the United States remains a partner and friend to your country.
Our two countries have a long friendship, forged in battle, which has only been strengthened through our strong cooperation since our nations fought side by side in the Guadalcanal campaign.
In the decades since, we have continued to work together not only on issues of key interest to Pacific nations but on broader global concerns as well. We have promoted peace, stability, a strong commitment to democracy, respect among nations, and joint action against threats like unexploded ordnance and climate change.
Our countries share many common values and we look forward to working with the Solomons to further advance these goals in the future.
As you celebrate your independence day, know that the United States remains a partner and friend to your country.
STAMPEDE SUPERCOMPUTER AND DRIVING DNA THROUGH THE NANOPORE
FROM: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Blueprint for the affordable genome
Aleksei Aksimentiev, a professor of physics at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, used the National Science Foundation-supported Stampede supercomputer to explore a cutting-edge method of DNA sequencing. The method uses an electric field to drive a strand of DNA through a small hole, or "nanopore," either in silicon or a biological membrane.
By controlling this process precisely and measuring the change in ionic current as the DNA strands move through the pore of the membrane, the sequencer can read each base pair in order.
"Stampede is by far the best computer system my group has used over the past 10 years," Aksimentiev said. "Being able to routinely obtain 40-80 nanoseconds of molecular dynamic simulations in 24 hours, regardless of the systems' size, has been essential for us to make progress with rapidly evolving projects."
Aksimentiev and his group showed that localized heating can be used to stretch DNA, which significantly increases the accuracy of nanopore DNA sequencing. In addition, he and his team used an all-atom molecular dynamics method to accurately describe DNA origami objects, making it possible to engineer materials for future applications in biosensing, drug delivery and nano-electronics. These results were published in ACS Nano and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
-- Aaron Dubrow, NSF
Investigators
Aleksei Aksimentiev
Related Institutions/Organizations
University of Texas at Austin
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Saturday, July 5, 2014
THE BLUE ANGELS RECENTLY PERFORMED AT VECTREN DAYTON AIR SHOW
FROM: U.S. NAVY
140629-N-SH953-657 DAYTON, Ohio (June 29, 2014) The U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, fly in the Delta Formation at the Vectren Dayton Air Show. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 68 demonstrations at 34 locations across the U.S. in 2014. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald/Released).
140629-N-SH953-548 DAYTON, Ohio (June 29, 2014) Solo pilots from the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, perform the Section High Alpha at the Vectren Dayton Air Show. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 68 demonstrations at 34 locations across the U.S. in 2014. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald/Released).
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK SAYS U.S. EXPORTS IN MAY WERE $195.5 BILLION
FROM: U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
U.S. Exports Reach $195.5 Billion in May
Export-Import Bank Financing Support Helps Create American Jobs
Washington, D.C. – The United States exported $195.5 billion of goods and services in May 2014, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.
“The numbers show that the world’s consumers continue to value U.S. goods and services for their quality and reliability,” said Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Given a level playing field, U.S. exporters can compete with anyone in the world, and Ex-Im Bank is proud to support them abroad as they support jobs here at home.”
Exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 45.7 percent above the level of exports in 2009, and have been growing at an annualized rate of 8.9 percent when compared to 2009.
During the same time period among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, were Panama (22.5 percent), Russia (19.6 percent), Peru (17.9 percent), Colombia (17.4 percent), Ecuador (17.3 percent), Hong Kong (17.3 percent), Argentina (16.3 percent), Nigeria (15.1 percent), Chile (14.8 percent) and Indonesia (14.6 percent).
U.S. Exports Reach $195.5 Billion in May
Export-Import Bank Financing Support Helps Create American Jobs
Washington, D.C. – The United States exported $195.5 billion of goods and services in May 2014, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.
“The numbers show that the world’s consumers continue to value U.S. goods and services for their quality and reliability,” said Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Given a level playing field, U.S. exporters can compete with anyone in the world, and Ex-Im Bank is proud to support them abroad as they support jobs here at home.”
Exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 45.7 percent above the level of exports in 2009, and have been growing at an annualized rate of 8.9 percent when compared to 2009.
During the same time period among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, were Panama (22.5 percent), Russia (19.6 percent), Peru (17.9 percent), Colombia (17.4 percent), Ecuador (17.3 percent), Hong Kong (17.3 percent), Argentina (16.3 percent), Nigeria (15.1 percent), Chile (14.8 percent) and Indonesia (14.6 percent).
U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF MALAWI ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Malawi's National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Malawi as they celebrate a half century of independence on July 6.
This year also marks 20 years of multiparty democracy in Malawi. The recent elections served as an example of a peaceful change of government for the entire region. Malawians spoke from the ballot box and stood for the rule of law.
On this day of celebration, all Malawians should be proud of their work to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS. While serving in the Senate, I worked closely with Sen. Frist and Sen. Helms on the bipartisan legislation that became the foundation for PEPFAR. Back then, AIDS was a looming death sentence for the entire African continent. What I saw on my most recent trip to Sub-Saharan Africa would never have seemed possible.
Today, we all hold up Malawi as a model and a leader in this fight. Malawi has saved thousands of men, women, and children from HIV infection with the help of antiretroviral drugs. You are on the front lines of a critical mission: creating an AIDS-free generation.
On this proud occasion, I wish all Malawians a happy National Day.
This year also marks 20 years of multiparty democracy in Malawi. The recent elections served as an example of a peaceful change of government for the entire region. Malawians spoke from the ballot box and stood for the rule of law.
On this day of celebration, all Malawians should be proud of their work to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS. While serving in the Senate, I worked closely with Sen. Frist and Sen. Helms on the bipartisan legislation that became the foundation for PEPFAR. Back then, AIDS was a looming death sentence for the entire African continent. What I saw on my most recent trip to Sub-Saharan Africa would never have seemed possible.
Today, we all hold up Malawi as a model and a leader in this fight. Malawi has saved thousands of men, women, and children from HIV infection with the help of antiretroviral drugs. You are on the front lines of a critical mission: creating an AIDS-free generation.
On this proud occasion, I wish all Malawians a happy National Day.
SECRETARY HAGEL GIVES PRAISE TO LATVIA FOR DEFENSE SPENDING
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Hagel Praises Latvia’s Efforts to Boost Defense Spending
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met at the Pentagon today with Latvia’s Minister of Defense Raimonds Vējonis and congratulated him for the Baltic nation’s progress toward increasing defense spending.
Both leaders also discussed steps that have been taken to demonstrate U.S. and allied commitment to the Baltic region as well as ongoing efforts to provide a persistent presence in the area, ranging from augmented NATO air policing to the deployment of company-size rotational forces to the Baltic states and Poland, according to a statement issued after the meeting by Pentagon Assistant Press Secretary Carl Woog.
Latvia joined NATO on March 29, 2004.
Woog’s statement reads as follows:
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Latvia’s Minister of Defense Raimonds Vējonis here today. Secretary Hagel congratulated Minister Vējonis on recent progress Latvia has made towards increasing their defense spending.
Among the topics discussed were efforts taken to date to demonstrate U.S. and allied commitment to the Baltic region as well as ongoing efforts to provide persistent presence in the area, ranging from augmented NATO air policing to the deployment of company-size rotational forces to the Baltic states and Poland. Secretary Hagel said we would continue to work with NATO to broaden support -- a focal point of efforts at the NATO Summit.
Finally, Secretary Hagel and Minister Vējonis discussed further opportunities for regional cooperation as discussed in last August’s Baltic Summit at the White House. The secretary stressed that the U.S. will continue to work with the Baltic States to support regional cooperation, interoperability with allies and long-term defense modernization.
Friday, July 4, 2014
U.S. FOCUSES MILITARY EFFORTS IN IRAQ SAYS DEFENSE SECRETARY HAGEL
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brief reporters at the Pentagon, July 3, 2014. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Hinton
By Cheryl Pellerin
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2014 – U.S. military efforts in Iraq are focusing on securing the American Embassy and personnel in Baghdad, assessing the situation in the country and advising Iraqi security forces, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.
Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey briefed the Pentagon press corps, focusing on the U.S. mission and role in Iraq.
Both are important components of President Barack Obama’s strategy in Iraq, the secretary said, which involves supporting Iraqi forces and helping Iraq's leaders resolve the political crisis that enabled the advance of the armed militant extremist group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
“By reinforcing security at the U.S. embassy [and] its support facilities at Baghdad International Airport, we're helping provide our diplomats time and space to work with Sunni, Kurd and Shia political leaders as they attempt to form a new inclusive national unity government,” Hagel told reporters.
By better understanding conditions on the ground and the capabilities of Iraqi security forces, he added, “we'll be better able to help advise them as they combat ISIL forces inside their own country.”
About 200 U.S. military advisers are on the ground in Iraq, said Hagel, noting that the United States, with Iraqi assistance, has established a joint operations center in Baghdad.
“We have personnel on the ground in Erbil where our second joint operations center has achieved initial operating capability … [and] assessment teams are evaluating the capabilities and cohesiveness of Iraqi forces,” the secretary said.
The six U.S. assessment teams are focusing on questions such as the strength and cohesion of the Iraqi security forces, the strength and locations of ISIL, how deeply embedded they are, how each component fits into the larger sectarian dynamic at play in the country, the process of forming a new government in the country, and other material issues, Hagel added.
“Both the chairman and I are getting some assessments back, early assessments, through [U.S. Central Command Commander Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III] who is overseeing all of this,” the secretary said. “We won't have the full complement of all those assessments for a while but that is ongoing.”
The teams in Iraq today have one mission and that is assessments, he added.
“I don't know what the assessments are going to come back and say or what they would recommend. We'll wait to see what that is and what Gen. Austin and Gen. Dempsey then recommend,” the secretary said.
“None of these troops are performing combat missions. None will perform combat missions,” Hagel said.
“The situation in Iraq … is complex and fluid. But there's no exclusively military solution to the threats posed by ISIL,” he added. “Our approach is deliberate and flexible. It is designed to bolster our diplomatic efforts and support the Iraqi people. We will remain prepared to protect our people and our interests in Iraq.”
As most Americans enjoy the Fourth of July holiday weekend, service members around the world, especially in the Middle East, will stay postured and ready for any contingency in that region, the secretary told reporters.
“As we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, I want to particularly express my gratitude to the men and women and their families who serve our nation at home and abroad, both civilian and in uniform,” Hagel said.
“I thank you all for what you do to keep our country safe every day,” he added.
HOW TO BURN ALUMINUM
FROM: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Photo Caption: nanoparticles-When dry, aluminum nanoparticles look like simple dark gray dust. LANL photo.
Scientists Ignite Aluminum Water Mix
Combustion mechanism of aluminum nanoparticles and water published in prestigious German chemistry journal
LOS ALAMOS, N.M., June 30, 2014—Don't worry, that beer can you’re holding is not going to spontaneously burst into flames, but under the right circumstances aluminum does catch fire, and the exact mechanism that governs how, has long been a mystery.
Now, new research by Los Alamos National Laboratory explosives scientist Bryce Tappan, published as the cover story in the prestigious German journal of chemistry Angewandte Chemie, for the first time confirms that chemical kinetics — the speed of a chemical reaction — is a primary function in determining nanoaluminum combustion burn rates.
"It's been long understood that nanoscale aluminum particles, 110 nanometers and smaller, are highly reactive. Aluminum particles at this scale have been used in novel explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnic formulations," said Tappan. "The understanding of the combustion mechanism impacts how we look at the design of ever smaller aluminum particles like molecular aluminum clusters as well as possible nanoaluminum applications like hydrogen fuel storage devices — and this might be a little 'out there' — but also energetic formulations that could use extraterrestrial water as the oxidizer in rocket fuel."
Tappan and his co-authors, Matthew Dirmyer of Los Alamos, and Grant Risha of Penn State University, made this discovery by looking for the "kinetic isotope effect" in nanoaluminum particles 110, 80, and 38 nanometers in size. The particles consisted of a "core-shell" structure with an elemental aluminum core and a two to five nanometer oxide shell. The particles are mixed with deionized water, H2O, or deuterium, D2O, to the gooey consistency of cake batter.
The kinetic isotope effect is observed in a chemical reaction when an atom of one of the reactants (water) is substituted with its isotope (deuterium, or "heavy water") and the two reactions are compared for differences. This effect is considered one of the most important tools in determining chemical reaction mechanisms.
Tappan and his team obtained burn rates by putting water/deuterium nanoaluminum mixtures in small glass tubes, placing the tubes in pressure vessels, igniting the nanoaluminum with a laser and taking measurements as the mixture burned.
For many years it’s been proposed that other mechanisms like oxygen diffusion through the particles, or tiny aluminum “explosions” in the mixture might govern the rates of the burning process. “Now we know that reaction kinetics are a major player,” said Tappan.
"Knowing much more about the mechanisms at work in metal combustion gives you a chance to refine the models that govern these reactions," Tappan added. "This fundamental knowledge gives us a window on how to better control these processes."
The research was funded by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at Los Alamos National Laboratory, with additional funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
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